Time Machine won't back up

I am trying to back up my old (OS X 5.8) laptop with Time Machine on a new external drive, with the intention of migrating the data to my new Macbook Pro from there. The Time Machine won't back up, just gives me an error message that 'an error has occurred'. Is it possible to simply copy the entire HD (programs and all) to the clean external HD and install onto the new laptop from there?

Is it possible to simply copy the entire HD (programs and all) to the clean external HD and install onto the new laptop from there?

No, you can't do it that way, it won't work. Boot from your install DVD if you still have it and run Disk Utility from it. Verify and repair your hard drive and then try again to run Time Machine and back up.

Yes, Bobtomay, I formatted the new drive. I found the utility application and there's something very wrong, it says it can't repair it. I'll just take it into the shop and ask them what's wrong. Thanks for answering.